Speaker: Dr Barry Scott
Date: Thursday, 27 March 2025
Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Lecture Theatre 1, EIT Taradale, Napier

Gene editing has revolutionized the ability to make precise changes to DNA, with the CRISPR-Cas9 breakthrough in 2012 transforming fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and conservation. However, the rapid development of this technology has outpaced public awareness and regulatory frameworks.

To address these challenges, Royal Society Te Apārangi convened an expert panel, supported by a Māori reference group, to explore the scientific, ethical, and regulatory implications of gene editing in New Zealand. This talk will examine how gene editing works, its potential applications, and the legal and social considerations that need to be addressed—including insights from the recently introduced Gene Technology Bill.

Dr. Barry Scott is an Emeritus Professor of Molecular Genetics at Massey University, where he taught and conducted research for nearly 40 years. His work focused on symbiotic interactions between plants and microbes, and he has been deeply involved in gene technology policy and public engagement.

A Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Dr. Scott has served as Vice President (Biological and Life Sciences) of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, co-chaired the Expert Advice Panel on Gene Editing (2016–2018), and was a board member of the Environmental Risk Management Authority. His extensive experience in both molecular genetics research and science policy makes him uniquely positioned to discuss the future of gene editing in New Zealand.